Most of us are aware of the fact that a healthy eating program has a major impact on our body. Do you know that diet foods included in your healthy eating plans can equally affect your brain? According to an article published by Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, associated with University of California, certain diet foods can have a strong impact on our brain and affect our memory, cognitive functions and mental health.
While speaking about good foods and a healthy eating program, Bethany Thayer, spokesperson at the American Dietetic Association echoes the same opinion. According to Thayer, brain is a hungry organ and in fact, it is the first of the body’s organs that absorb nutrients from the healthy foods that we eat. Thayer further says, “Give the body junk food, and the brain is certainly going to suffer.”
If you are wondering about diet foods that you should include in your healthy diet plans to increase your intelligence and sharpen your memory, read on to know more.
Include Salmon in Your Healthy Eating Program
According to Andrea Giancoli (a Los Angeles nutritionist), fatty fish such as salmon is an excellent diet food that can strongly affect our mental health and healthy living. The reason is that salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients such as Vitamin B12 and D, which help to reduce and prevent neurodegenerative disorders. According to a research study on diet foods (conducted by Tufts University), people who included three servings of oily fish in their healthy eating plan had lowered their risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by 50%.
Go Nuts with Walnut
Diet foods such as walnuts can improve cognitive functions and delay rapid memory decline, especially in elderly people, claims one study. Dr Abha Chauhan, associated with New York State Institute and lead author of the study claims, “Our results suggest walnuts may have a beneficial effect in reducing the risk, delaying the onset or slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease”. Experts are of the opinion that this diet food contains flavonoids and Vitamin E, which can prevent harmful free radical chemicals that can lead to dementia. All those who are looking for non-fish sources of Omega-3 can opt for walnuts, since this diet food is also a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Make Apple a Part of Your Healthy Diet Plans
Apple has always been considered as a healthy food that contributes to healthy living and general well-being. Now there is more reason to include this healthy food in your balanced diet. According to a study conducted by Cornell University, apple contains quercetin, which protects the brain from damages that are caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Opt Berries for Good Living
Berries are an excellent diet food that contributes to good living and is essential for your overall well-being. Berries can range from cherries, blueberries to strawberries and blackberries. Krieger opines, “In general, the more intense the color, the more nutrition in the berries”. According to a study (on good foods) undertaken by University of Cincinnati, inclusion of blueberries in your healthy meals can enhance your memory. So opt for this good food and start relishing healthy living.
Healthy Eating starts with Clam
A recent study on healthy living (Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Aging) highlighted the fact that people who don’t consume enough of vitamin B-12 are at four times higher risk of suffering from diseases such as Alzheimer’s. If you are looking for a diet food that is rich in vitamin B-12, look no further than clams. 100g serving of this diet food contains 98.9mcg of vitamin B12.
Including all these good foods in your healthy eating plan can boost your physical as well as mental health. In addition, you can enjoy healthy living with the help of these diet foods.
Thanks for the info! I’ve found that berries, especially blueberries, are excellent memory improvement foods,</a? because of the antioxidants contained within. Also, just by maintaining a heart healthy diet, your are improving circulation to the brain, which will help it to operate more efficiently and you will be able to recall information faster.